Improvement in water-wheels



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N. PETERS. PHOTOL|THORA?MER, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.'

SIMEON SHERMAN, OF WESTON, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATER-WHEELS.'

Specification forming part of Letters-Patent No. 58.309, dated September '25, A1866.

NVheel; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a vertical central section of my invention, taken in the line x w, Fig. 2 5 Fig. 2, a horizontal section of the scroll, taken in the line y y, Fig. 1, the wheel being removed; Fig. 3, a vertical section of a portion of the wheel. i

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention relates to anew and improved horizontal water-wheel of that class which are operated under the direct and reacting power and force of the water.

The invention consists in a peculiar construction of the scroll and buckets, and in the manner of applying the buckets to the wheel, as hereinafter fully shown and described, whereby it is believed that a larger percentage than usual of the power of the water is t obtained.

A represents the wheel, and B the scroll in which the wheel is fitted. The form or shape of the scroll is shown clearly in Fig. 2, and it extends entirely around the wheel, as will be seen by referring to Fig. l, and the bottom oi' the scroll at the side adjoining the wheel is provided with an upright ledge, a, extending all around the scroll, said ledge contracting the open inner side of the scroll, from which the water passes and acts against tire buckets C C of the wheel. By thus contracting or diminishing the depth of the scroll at the side adjoining the wheel the loss of power hitherto attending the friction of the water passing around the scroll is avoided, as the water which acts directly upon or against the buckets O is surrounded at its rear by a superior or larger volume of water in motion,which serves as a mediator and neutralizes the drawback produced by the friction at the angles b of the buckets, C C', the former, C, being short and of concave form at their face sides and about equal in length or depth to the scroll B, the` other buckets, G, having their upper parts, c, coinciding in form to the buckets G, and their lower parts, c', but slightly concave, but of considerable length, extending down to the bottom of the body of the wheel, with but small or narrow issues between, as shown in Fig. l, the lower end of the parts c of one bucket extending in front of a vertical line touching or coinciding with the lower end of the third bucket in front of it. (See Fig. l.) The buckets G are about equal in length or depth to the upper curved parts, o, of the buckets C', the parts c of C being below the scroll B.

VThe buckets C C are placed alternately in 'position on the body of the wheel, and they are attached to or cast on the exterior of ashell, D, which is tted on the body of the wheel and rendered capable of being adjusted higher or lower by means of screws E, as will be understood by referring to Fig. 3. By this means the buckets are rendered capable of being adj usted higher or lower for the purpose of regulating the power or" the wheel, as may be desired.

The water first acts by impact against the buckets C and the upper parts, c, of the buckets G', the action of the water being direct against G c, and the water then descends and actsby gravity upon the lower parts, c', of the buckets C', a vacuum being at the lower part ot' or underneath the wheel, as a draft-tube, F, is attached to the under side of the scroll B, provided at its bottom with a register-valve, G, the bottom of F being immersed iu the tailrace.

The draft-tube is an old device, and used universally with what is known as the Jonval or French turbine wheel,77 and such draft-tube has been, in some instances, provided with a throttle-valve.

The water passes throughthe scroll and issues of the buckets in an unbroken current, which is a great advantage, as the force or power by a broken or impeded current ol' water is `very materially diminished. rllhe raising and lowering of the buckets is also an important feature, as by thus adjusting them more or less water may be made to pass through the wheel, and the power of the latter regulated as desired, the passage of water through the Wheel being increased by lowering the buckets and decreased by raising them.

Another advantage consists in the double buckets-thatis to say, having the upper conycaves, against which the water acts first and directly by impact ioint, double in number to the parts c at the lower part of the wheel, on which the water acts by gravity, by which the greatest effect from the impact of the Water is obtained, as well as the most favorable result from its gravity or reaction, as it is commonly termed.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The upright ledge a at the inner edge of the bottom of the scroll B, in combination with a Wheel, A, fitted within the scroll and exceedin g the former in depth, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The buckets C C', placed alternately on the exterior of the wheel and constructed and arranged in the manner substantially as shown and described.

3. The attaching to or casting the buckets C C with a shell, D, itted on the body of the wheel, and arranged with set-screws E, by which the buckets may be adjusted higher 0r lower on the wheel, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. rJhe register G, constructed and applied as shown and described, to regulate the low of water through the draft-tube F and prevent the upward reflux of water therein.

sIMEoN sHEnMAN.

Witnesses:

OoaAVIUs KNIGHT, CHARLES A. Pn'r'rr. 

